Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-07-01

muslin she llau dOnneu scnOOl-glil
gingham, white apron, and "a plain
linen collar, her hair all smoothed
down to get the contrary wrinkles out
perfectly natural you know. Down
she went, stole back and seized Mrs.
Dunniag's blue gingham sun-bonnct,
and darling to the wondering girls.
had just time to signal them to the
front, when NJ SIS Patty emerged from
the other side and was about to cend
the steps of the comical vehicle. Mrs.
Dunning, turning after her, said: IL
hope you II succeed in your efforts, Miss
Slocum. If wasn't so busy I'd let
Selma come up day or two and help
| you out, but you see we have the SEM
mary girls at least six of them-and
it keeps one kinder busy. Why, what
on earthw Here the good old lady
had to stop in sheer amazement, for
she recognized her sun-bonnet coming
toward her with little body under
meath.
Rose did not stop for anything, but
sailed up to Miss Patty, made de-
mure little bow and commenced:
please ma am, overheard your CON
versation and thought I'd offer myself.
| if you think could strip pie-plant, or
could help you in any way; and she
dropped her white lids as though she
was frightened at her own temerity.
you don't look as you could do
much. How much do you expect to
get week, and where did you come
from?" queried business-ike Miss
Patty.
Il came from over yonder some miles
and have a sick aunt, and want to earn
some money. Please try me, and if j
don't suit need not STAY
"Well, seem as how you came in
the nick of time, and look kind of clip
per like, I'll take you along. Have
YOU any recommendations along"
moo, | have not, but Mrs. Dunning
here knows me; she did not expect to
see me to-day hunting a place, y
and the smiling eyes We're turned upon
the landlords wife, and hid by the sun
bonnet, she made a grimace at the
puzzled face that was slowly taking
IN the fun.
"Oh, yes" eXpla ned the good old la
dy, II do know her, but doubt her ca
pablities regarding housekeeping. But
Id try her if were YOU. You III ght
do worse"
Can you come right along? I'd a
heap rather you would, seem as i m
clean tuckered out now.
"Oh, yes; certainly can. Mrs.
Dunning, left my bundle, a gingh am
and few other thing, inside. Will
you have them sent? One reason that
| came was that Cora, over there, used
TO know me and heard that the girls
were going to spend part of their va
cation here, and then ! thought I'd
Kill two birds with one stone if could
earn bit while over Mrs. Patty
looked rather suspiciouSly at the white
dimpied hands. and it was hard telling
what was in her thoughts, as she final
ly drove of. They went down into
the heart of the village, and Rose pulled
the sunbonnet further down around
her face, murmurng 'that the sun was
rather warm.
Now, we will have to wait for the
ten train said Miss Patty, land il you
will mind the horse | Ii just drop right
into the postollice and get what / want.
/ expect my grand nephew on the train,
and if it happens to come in while I'm
in here, you just keep an eye open for
a long, good-lookin' chap with an i'm
mense Big gilt chain, and tell HIM I'll
be out As soon as l can git my lie and
lamp chimneys, and other stuff Mind
the horse nowr'
SO saying off she went
Rose sat very quiet for some minutes
peeping from the depths OF the bonnet
1t was dreadful, this having to wait
when she was in for a frolic. Ten,
fifteen minutes went by when, in the
distance, sounded the locomotive
VIII stle
"Whew' mimicked Rose, a grand
nephew coming. | suppose her ideal
of a cookbook Nc is one that can do all
manner of hard work, and a great
gawk of fellow he is. know. Her
revere was interrupted by the stop
ping of the train. and the rush of pas
sengers getting up and of. With
ting-a ling, a puff and a snort the
great engine steamed o ut again with a
long line of cars trai ling after.
Rose had all she could do to manage
the old mare. When Doane finally
became quiet, Rose looked over to-
wards the depot in search of the guilt
chain, that being uppermost in her
mind. The passengers had all gone
their ways, except two; these were a
lady and gentleman.